Lower leg strengthening device and method of use thereof

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a device and method of use thereof for lower leg strengthening, particularly for strengthening the anterior tibialis. In one form, the device includes: a foot mount for mounting to a foot of a user, said foot mount including a pair of opposed side plates and at least two rods interconnecting the opposed side plates, at least one of said two rods including an actuating mechanism for tightening and loosening the opposed side plates about the foot of the user; and a weight mount operatively associated with the foot mount and configured to mount one or more weights thereon. In use, the device is configured to provide resistance to dorsiflexion of the foot of the user.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a device and method of use thereof for lower leg strengthening, particularly for strengthening the anterior tibialis.

BACKGROUND

Lower leg strength has been directly associated with the prevention and enhanced recovery from lower leg injuries, particularly injuries such as calf tears and strains, sprained ankles, medial tibial stress syndrome (shin splints), patellofemoral pain, tendinopathies of the ankle and foot and tendinopathies of the knee.

Despite the above benefits, strength straining of the lower leg muscles is often neglected, or only emphasised once an injury has already been sustained. This is partially due to difficulties in accessing lower leg strengthening machines, equipment and devices and partially due to such machines, equipment and devices being inefficient in isolating and strengthening lower leg muscles.

For example, a problem in general with contemporary lower leg strengthening machines, equipment and devices is that they are typically bulky, weighty, stationary equipment designed for in-house use in gyms and fitness centres only. Also, due to the inefficiencies in the way such machines, equipment and devices operate, they usually require a user to exercise both legs simultaneously with a considerable amount of weight to be effective.

Portable lower leg strengthening devices have been developed that enable a user to selectively exercise an individual leg. However, the present inventor has found that such devices are usually cumbersome, overly complicated and generally deficient.

For example, UK patent no. GB 2460039 B discloses a lower leg strengthening device including a foot harness, a lower leg harness and an adjustable resistance hub interconnecting the harnesses and configured to provides resistance to dorsiflexion of a foot of a user. However, apart from the respective harnesses being cumbersome, the resistance hub is overly sophisticated and difficult to operate and adjust.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,215,508 discloses a lower leg strengthening device including a foot brace, a lower leg brace and a pair of fluid chambers interconnecting the braces and configured to provide resistance to movement of a foot relative to a lower leg of a user. However, the fitting of the braces is complicated, cumbersome and time consuming and the fluid chambers are overly sophisticated and therefore difficult to adjust.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,722,919 discloses a lower leg strengthening device including a sole having one or more straps for fastening to a foot of a user and specialised weights for mounting to an underside of the sole for providing resistance to movement of the foot relative to a lower leg of the user. However, the fitting of the sole and straps to the foot of the user is time consuming, the weight mounting system is overly complex, and the device is limited to use only with the specialised weights.

It will be clearly understood that, if a prior art publication is referred to herein, this reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms part of the common general knowledge in the art in Australia or in any other country.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention provide a lower leg strengthening device and method of use thereof, which may at least partially address one or more of the problems or deficiencies mentioned above or which may provide the public with a useful or commercial choice.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a lower leg strengthening device including:

a foot mount for mounting to a foot of a user, said foot mount including a pair of opposed side plates and at least two rods interconnecting the opposed side plates, at least one of said at least two rods including an actuating mechanism for tightening and loosening the opposed sides plates about the foot of the user; and

a weight mount operatively associated with the foot mount and configured to mount one or more weights thereon,

wherein, in use, said device is configured to provide resistance to dorsiflexion of the foot of the user.

Advantageously, the present invention provides a portable lower leg strengthening device that enables an individual leg to be targeted and the ankle and anterior tibialis of the leg to be isolated and strengthened simultaneously. The foot mount can be readily mounted and fitted to a foot of a user by way of the simple but effective actuating mechanism. Lastly, the weight mount obviates the need for complicated resistance mechanisms or weights by enabling a user to simply mount a desired number of standard weights. The weights can include one or more readily available weight plates as are commonly found in gyms and fitness stores.

As indicated above, the device of the present invention is primarily for strengthening the anterior tibialis. It will therefore be convenient to describe the device and method of use with reference to this example application. However, a person skilled in the art will appreciate that the device is also capable of being used to provide resistance to plantar flexion, supination, pronation, inversion and eversion of the foot of a user.

For example, the device may equally be used to strengthen the gastrocnemius, the soleus and the tibialis posterior by providing resistance to plantar flexion of the foot of a user.

As indicated, the device includes a foot mount for mounting to a foot of a user. The foot mount may be of any suitable size, shape and construction and may be formed from any suitable material or materials. Typically, the foot mount may be formed from metal, plastic and/or rubber material or materials.

The foot mount includes a pair of opposed side plates interconnected by at least two rods, including at least one actuator for tightening and loosening the opposed side plates about the foot of a user.

The opposed side plates may be of the same or similar shapes and sizes.

Each side plate may be of any suitable shape.

In some embodiments, each side plate may be in the shape of a circle or oval.

In other embodiments, each side plate may be in the shape of a triangle, square, rectangle, pentagon, hexagon, octagon, or any other suitable polygonal shape, for example.

In preferred embodiments, each side plate may have a substantially inverted L-shape having a first portion configured to in use extend alongside a foot of a user and a second portion orthogonally extending relative to the first portion and configured to in use extend forward from the foot of the user, preferably in a forward and downwards direction.

Each side plate may include a pair of opposed surfaces interconnected by opposing edges.

The opposed surfaces may extend substantially parallel to one another. The opposed surfaces may include an inner surface and an opposed outer surface.

The first portion may include a lower edge, an opposed upper edge and a pair of opposed side edges extending longitudinally therebetween. The edges may extend linearly or may include one or more curves, preferably the latter.

The lower edge may preferably be curved. The curved lower edge may be defined by a constant or uniformly changing radius or some other suitable curve. Advantageously, by being curved, the lower edge may support the device atop a support surface and allow the device to be rocked back-and-forth in use, when, for example, exercising a dorsiflexion movement.

The second portion may be defined by a forward edge and a pair of opposed side edges orthogonally extending from the upper edge (or an upper edge part) of the first portion to the forward edge. Again, the opposed side edges may extend linearly or may include one or more curves, preferably the former.

In some embodiments, the forward edge may be a rounded forward edge.

In other embodiments, the weight mount or a part thereof may extend from the forward edge.

For example, in some such embodiments, at least one of the opposed side plates may further include a third portion extending orthogonally inwards from the forward edge at least partially towards the forward edge of the opposed side plate. The third portion may include an inner surface and an opposed outer surface. The weight mount may extend from the outer surface of the third portion. This will be described in detail later.

As indicated, the pair of opposed side plates are interconnected by at least two rods.

The rods may be of any suitable size, shape and construction and may be located in any suitable location on the side plates. Typically, the rods may be of a length to define a foot receiving space between the opposed side plates, preferably an adjustable foot receiving space.

Generally, the rods may include a first rod extending from and between the opposed side plates at or near the lower edge of the first portion and a second rod extending from and between the opposed side plates at or near the upper edge of the first portion. The rods may preferably be centrally positioned relative to the opposed side edges.

In use, the rods are positioned to receive a foot of a user therebetween such that the first rod abuts against a sole of the foot of a user and the second rod abuts against an upper surface of the foot.

The rods may be of any suitable size, shape and construction.

For example, the rods may be of tubular or solid construction, preferably the former.

Likewise, each rod may be of unitary construction or formed from two or more rod pieces, preferably the latter.

The rods and the side plates may be connected together in any suitable way.

For example, in some embodiments the rods may be connectable to the inner surface of each side plate with one or more mechanical fasteners and/or using conventional welding techniques.

In other embodiments, the rods and the side plates may be connectable by a connecting mechanism or parts thereof. The connecting mechanism or parts thereof may or may not be of integral formation with each of the rods and the side plates.

In some such embodiments, the connecting mechanism may include a first part associated with an inner surface of a side plate and a second part connecting to the first part and associated with an end of each rod.

The connecting mechanism may include mateable male and female portions that couple together, such as, e.g., a threaded connection, an interference (snap-fit) connection, a bayonet-type connection or a friction fit-type connection.

In some such embodiments, the first part of the connecting mechanism associated with the inner surface of each side plate may include a male formation configured to be inserted into, or coupled with, a female formation of the second part of the connecting mechanism associated with an end of each rod.

Conversely, in other such embodiments, the first part of the connecting mechanism may include a female formation configured to at least partially receive or be coupled with a male formation of the second part of the connecting mechanism.

In some embodiments, each side plate may include a pair of inwardly extending rod pieces configured to be mateable with a corresponding pair of inwardly extending rod pieces provided on an opposed side plate. The rod pieces may be welded to the inner surface of each side plate using conventional welding techniques.

The rod pieces may mate with one another in any suitable way.

For example, the rod pieces may mate with one another in a sliding or threaded arrangement in which a first rod piece extending inwardly from a first side plate is at least partially received in a corresponding second rod piece extending inwardly from an opposed second side plate, preferably a sliding arrangement.

Advantageously, by being arranged in a mateable arrangement, the length of the rods may be adjusted thereby enabling the foot mount to be tightened or loosed about the foot of user.

In preferred embodiments, the first rod pieces extending inwardly from the first opposed side plate may have a smaller diameter than the second rod pieces extending inwardly from the second side plate so that the first rod pieces may be at least partially slidingly received in the second rod pieces.

As indicated, at least one of the two rods interconnecting the opposed side plates includes an actuating mechanism for moving the opposed side plates together and apart for tightening and loosening the side plates about the foot of a user.

Any suitable type of actuating mechanism may be used. The actuating mechanism may preferably be manually actuated, although the use of a drive is also envisaged. Movement may be linear movement, although non-linear movement, such as, e.g., rotary movement is also envisaged.

The actuating mechanism may include one or more of a lever, an operable handle, a sliding arrangement, a hinged arrangement or a pivoting arrangement for moving the opposed side plates together and apart.

In some embodiments, the actuating mechanism may include one or more biasing mechanisms so that movement of the opposed side plates together works against the force of the biasing mechanism, and so that movement of the opposed side plates apart works under the force of the biasing mechanism. The biasing mechanism may include one or more springs, such as, e.g., coil springs. Of course, a person skilled in the art will appreciate that other types of biasing mechanisms such as magnets or magnetized elements and the like may also be used.

In preferred embodiments, the actuating mechanism may include a threaded arrangement extending within the interconnected rod pieces of the at least one rod for moving the at least one rod between retracted and extending positions.

The threaded arrangement may include a threaded bore operatively associated with the first rod piece and an adjustment screw operatively associated with the second rod piece and configured to threadingly engage with the threaded bore for moving the second rod piece relative to the first rod piece.

The adjustment screw may have a distal end, an opposed head and a threaded shank extending therebetween.

In use, the adjustment screw may be at least partially received in an opening defined through the second side plate and aligned along a central axis of the second rod piece such that the head may abut against an outer surface of the second side plate and the threaded shank may extend at least partially along an inner conduit of the second rod piece for engagement with the threaded bore located at or near an inner end of the first rod piece.

The threaded shank may include an external thread extending at least partially along a length of the threaded shank. The external thread may have any suitable thread profile and ratio. For example, the external thread may have a square, triangular, trapezoidal or other profile shape. Typically, the threaded shank may have a screw thread profile with a trapezoidal outlines, preferably an Acme thread form or trapezoidal metric thread form.

The head of the adjustment screw may include an enlarged head or knob or the like to assist manual rotation of the adjustment screw by a user. The enlarged head or knob may include knurling.

In some embodiments, the head may include at least one handle for applying torque to the adjustment screw, preferably winged handles.

In yet other embodiments, the head may include a socket for interfacing with a torque applying tool.

As indicated, the device includes a weight mount operatively associated with the foot mount and configured to mount one or more weights thereon for, in use, providing resistance to dorsiflexion of the foot of the user.

The weight mount may be of any suitable size, shape and construction and may be operatively associated with the foot mount in any suitable way to provide resistance to dorsiflexion of the foot of the user, typically the weight mount may extend forward of the foot mount.

Generally, the weight mount may include a receiving post extending forward of the third portion of the foot mount.

The post may be of any suitable size, shape and construction for receiving one or more weights thereon, preferably weight plates, more preferably Olympic-grade weight plates.

Preferably, the post may have a diameter of about 50 mm. This is the standard diameter for mounting Olympic-grade weight plates.

Likewise, the post may be of any suitable length for mounting one or more weights thereon in a stacked arrangement. For example, the post may have a length of about 100 mm, about 110 mm, about 120 mm, about 130 mm, about 140 mm, about 150 mm, about 160 mm, about 170 mm, about 180 mm, about 190 mm, about 200 mm, about 210 mm, about 220 mm, about 230 mm, about 240 mm, about 250 mm, about 260 mm, about 270 mm, about 280 mm, about 290 mm, or even about 300 mm or more. Typically, the post may have a length of about 195 mm.

The post may be connectable to an outer surface of the third portion of the foot mount in any suitable way.

For example, in some embodiments the post may be integrally formed with the foot mount.

In other embodiments, the post may be detachably connected.

Typically, the post may be connected to the outer surface of the third portion with one or more mechanical fasteners and/or using conventional welding techniques.

In some embodiments, one or both of the rods interconnecting the opposed side plates may include padding.

In some such embodiments, the padding may include a padding wrap configured to be wrapped about the rod, preferably detachably.

In other such embodiments, the padding may include a sleeve configured to be fitted about the rod.

The padding may be formed from any suitable resilient deformable material or materials, preferably a rubber or plastic foam material.

The padding may preferably include one or more contours to complement the shape of the foot, preferably one or more concave contours.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of strengthening a lower leg, said method including:

fitting a device in accordance with the first aspect about a foot of a user and tightening the foot mount about the foot of the user;

loading the weight mount with one or more weights; and

repeatedly moving the foot about the ankle against resistance provided by the one or more weights.

The method may include one or more features or characteristics of the device as hereinbefore described.

The fitting may include inserting a foot of a user between the first and second rods of the foot mount such that the first rod abuts against a sole of the foot of the user and the second rod abuts against an upper surface of the foot.

The tightening may include using the actuating mechanism to move the opposed side plates together and tighten about the foot of the user.

The loading may include aligning and sliding one or more weight plates onto the receiving post of the weight mount.

Once loaded, the one or more weight plates may be secured on the receiving post with a clip, keeper or collar as known in the art.

In some embodiments, the repeatedly moving may include pointing a toe of the foot and flexing the foot back to the leg through repeated eccentric and concentric contraction of the anterior tibialis with and against the resistance provided by the one or more weights, respectively.

Preferably, the repeatedly moving includes repeated dorsiflexion of the foot against the resistance provided by the one or more weights.

The foot including the device mounted thereon may be suspended above a support surface prior to said repeatedly moving, typically by suspending the foot and lower calf off of the edge of a bench.

In other embodiments, the repeatedly moving may include pointing the foot relative to the leg through repeated eccentric and concentric contractions of the gastrocnemius, the soleus and the tibialis posterior against the resistance provided by the one or more weights.

Preferably, the repeatedly moving includes repeated plantar flexion of the foot against the resistance provided by the one or more weights.

Any of the features described herein can be combined in any combination with any one or more of the other features described herein within the scope of the invention.

The reference to any prior art in this specification is not and should not be taken as an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that the prior art forms part of the common general knowledge.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of Invention in any way. The Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings as follows:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a lower leg strengthening device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a partially exploded view of the lower leg strengthening device shown in FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 3 is photograph showing the device as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 being fitted to a foot of a user; and

FIG. 4 is a photograph of the device as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 being used to strengthen a lower leg of the user.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1 to 4 show a lower leg strengthening device (100) according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1 , the device (100) includes a foot mount (110) for mounting to a foot of a user including a pair of opposed side plates (120), two rods (130) interconnecting the opposed side plates (120) and an actuating mechanism (140) associated with one of the rods (130) for tightening and loosening the opposed side plates (120) about the foot of a user.

The device (100) further includes a weight mount (210) operatively associated with the foot mount (110) and configured to mount one or more weights thereon.

In use, the device (100) is configured to provide resistance to dorsiflexion of the foot of the user.

Referring to FIG. 2 , each side plate (120) is formed from steel and has a thickness of about 4 mm.

Each side plate (120) has a substantially inverted L-shape having a first portion (150) configured to extend alongside the foot of the user and a second portion (160) orthogonally extending relative to the first portion (150) and configured to in use extend forward from the foot in a forward and downwards direction.

Each side plate (120) has a pair of opposed surfaces interconnected by opposing edges.

The opposed surfaces extend substantially parallel to one another. The opposed surfaces include an inner surface (122) and an opposed outer surface (124).

The first portion (150) includes a lower edge (152), an opposed upper edge (154) and a pair of opposed side edges (156) extending longitudinally therebetween. The edges (152, 154, 156) include one or more curves.

The lower edge (152) is rounded for supporting the device (100) atop a support surface. Advantageously, by being rounded, the lower edge (152) allows the device (100) to be rocked back-and-forth in use, when, for example, exercising a dorsiflexion movement while resting the device (100) atop a support surface.

The second portion (160) includes a forward edge (162) and a pair of opposed side edges (164) orthogonally extending from the upper edge (154) of the first portion (150) to the forward edge (162). The opposed side edges (164) extend linearly.

As shown, one of the side plates (120A) has a rounded forward edge (162) and the other of the side plates (120B) defines a third portion (170) for mounting of the weight mount (210) thereon.

The third portion (170) extends orthogonally inwards from the forward edge (162) of the side plate (120B) at least partially towards the rounded forward edge (162) of the other side plate (120A).

The third portion (170) includes an inner surface (172) and an opposed outer surface (174).

As shown, the pair of opposed side plates (120) are interconnected by two rods (130). The rods (130) are of an adjustable length to define an adjustable foot receiving space (180) between the opposed side plates (120).

The rods (130) are of a tubular construction and are each formed from opposed rod piece (132) extending inwardly from the inner surface (122) of each of the opposed side plates (120) and configured to mate with one another therebetween in sliding arrangement. The rod pieces (132) are welded to the inner surface (122) of the side plates using conventional welding techniques.

The rod (130) include a first rod (130A) extending from and between the opposed side plates (120) at or near the lower edge (152) of the first portion (150) and a second rod (130B) extending from and between the opposed side plates (120) at or near the upper edge (154) of the first portion (150). The rods (130) are centrally positioned relative to the opposed side edges (156).

In use, the rods (130) are positioned to receive a foot of a user therebetween such that the first rod (130A) abuts against a sole of the foot of a user and the second rod (130B) abuts against an upper surface of the foot.

As shown, rod pieces (132A) extending inwardly from side plate (120A) have a narrower diameter than rod pieces (132B) extending inwardly from side plate (120B) so as to be at least partially received in the rod pieces (132B) in the sliding mateable arrangement.

Advantageously, by being arranged in the mateable arrangement, the length of the rods (130) can be adjusted by the actuating mechanism (140) thereby enabling the foot mount (110) to be tightened or loosed about the foot of user.

The actuating mechanism (140) includes a threaded arrangement associated with the second rod (130B).

The mechanism (140) includes a threaded bore in the form of a nut (142) coupled to an inner end of rod piece (132A) and an adjustment screw (144; partially shown) extending along rod piece (132B) and configured to threadingly engage with the nut (142) for moving rod piece (132B) relative to rod piece (132A) and thereby move the opposed side plates (120) relative to each other.

The adjustment screw (144) has a distal end, an opposed head (145) and a threaded shank extending therebetween.

In use, the adjustment screw (144) is at least partially received in an opening (126) defined through side plate (120B) and aligned along a central axis of rod piece (132B) such that the head (145) abuts against the outer surface (124) of the side plate (120B) and the threaded shank extends at least partially along an inner conduit of the rod piece (132B) for engagement with the nut (142) of the rod piece (132A).

The head (145) of the adjustment screw (144) is enlarged to assist in manual rotation of the adjustment screw (144) by a user.

Referring back to FIG. 1 , the weight mount (210) includes a receiving post (212) extending forward from the outer surface (174) of the third portion (170) for mounting one or more weight plates thereon.

The post (212) is mechanically fastened to the third portion (170).

The post (212) has a diameter of about 50 mm and a length of about 195 mm.

The device (100) further includes a padding sleeve (190) fitted about the second rod (130B).

The padding sleeve (190) is formed from a rubber or plastic foam material and includes one or more concave contours to complement the shape of a foot of a user received in the adjustable foot receiving space (180).

A method of using the device (100) is now described in detail with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4 .

Referring to FIG. 3 , the device (100) is fitted to a foot (310) of user (900) by inserting the foot (310) into the adjustable foot receiving space (180) of the device (100).

The foot (310) is inserted such that the first rod (130A) abuts against a sole of the foot (310) and the second rod (130B) abuts against an upper surface of the foot (310).

The head (145) of the adjustment screw (144) of the actuating mechanism (140) is then turned to tighten the opposed side plates (120) of the foot mount (110) about the foot (310) of the user (900).

One or more weight plates (810) can be loaded onto the receiving post (212) of the weight mount (210) and secured thereon with a clip, keeper or collar as known in the art.

Referring to FIG. 4 , the foot (310) with the device (100) mounted thereon and the lower calf of an associated leg is then suspended off the edge of a bench and the foot (310) is moved back-and-forth relative to the leg through repeated eccentric and concentric contraction of the anterior tibialis against the resistance provided by the one or more weight plates (810).

In the present specification and claims (if any), the word ‘comprising’ and its derivatives including ‘comprises’ and ‘comprise’ include each of the stated integers but does not exclude the inclusion of one or more further integers.

Reference throughout this specification to ‘one embodiment’ or ‘an embodiment’ means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearance of the phrases ‘in one embodiment’ or ‘in an embodiment’ in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more combinations.

In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific to structural or methodical features. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific features shown or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims (if any) appropriately interpreted by those skilled in the art. 

1. A lower leg strengthening device comprising: a foot mount for mounting to a foot of a user, said foot mount comprising a pair of opposed side plates and at least two rods interconnecting the opposed side plates, at least one of said at least two rods comprising an actuating mechanism for tightening and loosening the opposed sides plates about the foot of the user; and a weight mount operatively associated with the foot mount and configured to mount one or more weights thereon, wherein, in use, said device is configured to provide resistance to dorsiflexion of the foot of the user.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein each of the opposed side plates has a substantially inverted L-shape having a first portion configured to in use extend alongside the foot of the user and a second portion orthogonally extending relative to the first portion and configured to in use extend forward from the foot of the user.
 3. The device of claim 2, wherein the second portion extends in a forward and downwards direction relative to the first portion.
 4. The device of claim 2, wherein the foot mount further comprises a third portion extending orthogonally inward from a forward edge of the second portion from one of the opposed side plates at least partially towards a forward edge of the other of the opposed side plates.
 5. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least two rods comprise a first rod extending from and between the opposed side plates at or near a lower edge of the first portion and a second rod extending from and between the opposed side plates at or near an upper edge of the first portion.
 6. The device of claim 5, wherein, in use, the rods are positioned to receive the foot of the user therebetween such that the first rod abuts against a sole of the foot and the second rod abuts against an upper surface of the foot.
 7. The device of claim 1, wherein each of the at least two rods comprises a pair of inwardly extending rod pieces configured to be mateable with each other to form the rod, each rod piece extending inwardly from an inner surface of one of the pair of opposed side plates.
 8. The device of claim 7, wherein the rod pieces mate together in a sliding arrangement such that a length of the rod is adjustable thereby enabling the foot mount to be tightened or loosened about the foot of the user.
 9. The device of claim 7, wherein the actuating mechanism comprises a threaded arrangement extending within interconnected said rod pieces for moving the rod between retracted and extended positions.
 10. The device of claim 9, wherein the threaded arrangement comprises a threaded bore operatively associated with a first said rod piece and an adjustment screw operatively associated with a second said rod piece and configured to threadingly engage with the threaded bore for moving the second said rod piece relative to the first said rod piece.
 11. The device of claim 10, wherein the adjustment screw has a distal end, an opposed head and a threaded shank extending therebetween and wherein the screw is received in an opening defined through a side plate and along a central axis of the second said rod piece such that the head abuts against an outer surface of the side plate and the threaded shank extends at least partially along an inner conduit of the second said rod piece for engagement with the threaded bore located at or near an inner end of the first said rod piece.
 12. The device of claim 4, wherein the weight mount comprises a receiving post extending forward of the third portion of the foot mount.
 13. The device of claim 12, wherein the weight mount extends from an outer surface of the third portion of the foot mount.
 14. A method of strengthening a lower leg, said method comprising: fitting a device in accordance with claim 1 about a foot of a user and tightening the foot mount about the foot of the user; loading the weight mount with one or more weights; and repeatedly moving the foot about the ankle against resistance provided by the one or more weights.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the fitting comprises inserting the foot of the user between the first and second rods such that the first rod abuts against a sole of the foot and the second rod abuts against an upper surface of the foot.
 16. The method of claim 14, wherein the tightening comprises using the actuating mechanism to tighten the opposed side plates about the foot of the user.
 17. The method of claim 14, wherein the loading comprises aligning and sliding one or more weight plates onto a receiving post of the weight mount.
 18. The method of claim 14, wherein the repeatedly moving comprises pointing a toe of the foot and flexing the foot back to the leg through repeated eccentric and concentric contraction of the anterior tibialis with and against a resistance provided by the one or more weights.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the repeatedly moving further comprises repeated dorsiflexion of the foot against the resistance provide by the one or more weights.
 20. The method of claim 14, wherein the foot with the device mounted thereon is suspended above a support surface prior to commencing said repeatedly moving. 